Entry 37

I started off the day on a high note: frozen waffles for breakfast. It was a nice treat to have something that felt so civilized for breakfast.

After I had cleaned up I went back to trying to learn to pick the apartment locks. When I was taking a break I looked out over the parking lot and realized there were no zombies in sight. I got up and began to look more carefully and could find none. I even leaned over the railing and checking to make sure none were underneath me. Where had they gone?

I spent a little bit walking along looking as carefully as I could to see where they had gone and could not find one. As I was searching for them I glanced across to my car. It was not very far away; my cell phone was in there along with a few odds and ends, including another flashlight. I had the ramp almost ready to go, a few knots and I could lower it to the ground and run to my car.

I decided it was time to head to the first floor. I ran some rope up to the third story which I attached to the part of the ramp which would swing down to the ground. Then I attached the other side of the ramp to the railing on the second story so it would pivot. I would have to step over the railing to go up and down the ramp but the ease of attachment made it worthwhile. With all the ropes attached I pulled out all the slack on the lowering rope and then pushed the ramp out a bit so the rope was all that held it from swinging down. I then lowered it carefully all the way to the ground and quickly raised it. It seemed to work without a hitch. I tested it a few more times then tied off the rope to ensure the ramp did not fall.

I put on a good pair of running shoes with a jacket then got the gun ready. I put the gun in my right coat pocket and then put the clip and five more loose bullets in the left. If I needed more bullets then I was probably doomed anyways. I then made sure my keys were in my left pants pocket so I could quickly unlock the car while still being able to get to the gun.

I headed out and carefully looked anywhere a zombie might be able to hide. I do not think zombies can hide and prepare ambushes. If they cannot easily navigate stairs then planning anything was out of their reach. But, I still watched and waited awhile just to be sure. Even with how quickly the ramp had gone up it was already well past noon. I would not have too much longer before the light would weaken. It was now or never.

I readied myself with some long deep breaths then lowered the ramp to the ground. I did one last check to ensure no zombies were around and I then headed down to ground level. As I reached the ground I paused a moment. I have been in this apartment for well over a month, never before has it been so long since I've touched the ground. I was surprised how sentimental I became about something as stupid as standing on the ground. I broke myself free from the reminiscing and did my best to hurry to the car as quietly as possible.

I reached the car without incident and unlocked it. I was worried the flash of lights would seem like beacons to the undead, but luckily another check showed no signs of them. I hurried into the car and began to scoop up everything that could be useful. The cell phone was first out of the center console. The next items I grabbed were the half pack of bottled water I kept in the back seat and my spare jacket. I popped the trunk, scooped up the first aid kit and flashlight, and quietly shut the trunk and door.

I tried to move quietly but after a few careful steps I took to a full run. I scrambled up the ramp, dumping what I had gotten from the car and pulled the ramp up. After I was safely up I hit the button to lock the car. Even the horn beeping was not enough to bring any zombies around. I tied the rope to the railing to hold it up but was worried a strong wind might undo my rather poor knot. So instead I undid the two ropes which served as the pivot and pulled the ramp back onto the walkway leaving the other end attached to the third story. This way all I had to do was tie the two knots and lower it, but there was no way it could get knocked down accidentally.

I have no idea how it was already getting dark but I headed inside trying my cellphone. It was dead, which should not have been a surprise. It has been over a month, not sure why I thought it would still be charged. I found my plug-in charger and now am waiting. The battery was so dead it would not let me turn it on when I plugged it in. All I can do is wait for it to get enough of a charge. Suppose I will lie down and let the phone charge.